Alberta Green Energy Co-Op Sells Renewable Energy for Lowest Rates in the Province

Online, August 4, 2011 (Newswire.com) - There may appear to be a giant disconnect when one first hears about SPARK. The new Alberta-based green electricity provider has begun selling power-at the province's lowest rates.

Green energy at LOWER prices? You did get that right. It's possible because SPARK is not a traditional energy retailer with office towers, service trucks and a massive monthly payroll. SPARK is a fully member-owned Co-Operative.

A member-owned business in itself is nothing new. It's the same enterprise model made highly successful by Mountain Equipment Co-Op and Servus Credit Union - and the people behind SPARK believe they can harness it to revolutionize the way Alberta individuals and businesses buy electricity.

"We'll never have executives with multimillion-dollar salaries," says founding member Paul Cabaj, a longtime co-operative consultant. "In fact we're already profitable with just a handful of members and can offer the province's best rates because we have super-low overhead."

As a retail energy Co-Op, SPARK is directed by a veritable dream team, including Mr. Cabaj as well as retired EPCOR vice-president Rick Cowburn, veteran Co-Op director Harvey Yoder, Environmental Sociology professor Debra Davidson and Jeff Senger, an energetic Alberta entrepreneur who previously analyzed financial data for a renewable energy producer. The directors have designed SPARK to avoid the countless industry pitfalls in propelling it to success.

"I've seen so many energy retailers fail, I wasn't about to be part of another funeral," says Mr. Cowburn. "The Co-Op model is different. It's the only model that has the potential of adding genuine value by being a market-maker."

SPARK offers so many advantages, the biggest barrier may be that it seems too good to be true, admits Mr. Cabaj. "Beyond the cost savings, members can be involved in SPARK as much or as little as they like, and help us work to reshape Alberta's energy policy. Seventy per cent of our profits are earmarked for green energy reinvestment. And the board can vote to pay a dividend with the rest."

"If there is a significant disadvantage, I've yet to hear it," says Mr. Senger. "Maybe we're not as green as we'd like to be yet, but the fact is our members get as much wind, hydro and alternative sources as anyone on the grid. And nobody has bigger, bolder and more achievable plans."

Not even Ontario-based Bullfrog Power, who SPARK does not see as a competitor. "We like Bullfrog," says Mr. Cabaj. "But Bullfrog is basically in the business of selling carbon offset credits, and that's something we chose to stay out of. SPARK exists to become a catalyst and a platform for many very exciting ways of doing things better."

There are no contracts or exit fees for SPARK members. And those who sign up early can even avoid paying the fully refundable membership fee.

"It takes literally a minute or two to switch," says Mr. Senger. "You start saving money right away, and with direct payment, you'll never pay a late fee again. Each electronic statement shows how much you've saved, so you get to feel like a genius every month."

For more information, visit http://www.SparkYourPower.ca
or call Paul Cabaj at 780 424-2420

PR by http://www.graphos.ca